This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Montclair chapter.
Summer means freedom, longer days, nice weather, pool parties and of course tan skin! They say everyone looks better with a tan and I couldn’t agree more! Tan skin might be the “in thing” for the summer but always be safe about the way you go about getting that sun kissed glow. Did you know that the UV radiation from tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma? And that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? Everyone may look better tan but no one should risk their health getting it. There are many sunless ways to getting that sun kissed look!
There are plenty of self tanners that you can apply that will give you the same color as if you spent some time at the beach or at the tanning salon; but without the UV radiation. Some of you may prefer to gradually build up your tans, while some of you may want to wake up and be instantly darker! Today, you’re in luck because Her Campus Montclair has the top 5 self tanners!
- Our Number 1 self tanner is an instant gel. If you want to apply a self tanner before bed and wake up like you’ve spent the last couple days in the Bahamas, I recommend Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. Even though Clarins is probably one of the more expensive self tanners, it lasts and looks amazing! It can be found at any department store with a Clarins counter or at your local Sephora! In my opinion, Clarins makes the most natural looking self-tanning products. The best part about Clarins is that it does not streak unlike some other self tanning products. The bottles start out at $35 for 4.5 oz and $45 for 6.76 oz. It takes about 8-12 hrs to develop but lasts up to three days!
- Our Number 2 self tanner is a gradual self tanner. If you want to build your tan, I would go with Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. You can buy it at any drug store for under $10! Apply it daily after you’ve showered and after using for about a week you will start to notice some color building on your skin! The advantage this self tanner has is that if you think you’re getting a tone you don’t like you can always skip a couple days to tone done the color. Another good thing about Jergens is that it gives you is two shades to choose from, fair to medium and medium to tan. This allows you to choose which skin tone you’re starting out with so you don’t get that orange color. This self tanner takes about 10 minutes to dry and can be used as many times as you like!
- Some of you may not want an instant tan or even color building on your skin but rather a color that will look good for the day if you’re wearing something bright and you want that coral dress to pop against tan skin. I suggest you go with our Number 3 self tanner, Victoria Secret’s Self Tanning Tinted Lotion. It runs about $15 for 5.5 oz. and washes off at the end of the day. Don’t worry, it has the same girly smell like other Victoria Secret products!
- Taking it’s rightful place in the Number 4 spot is Clinque. Just like Jergens, Clinque has two shades as well. Light – medium and medium – deep. You can buy at any Clinque counter in any department store for $23. This self tanner resembles Clarins and some of you may not even notice a difference but gotta try them all to see!http://beautifulmakeupsearch.com
- A hidden treasure in self tanners is found at Bath & Body Works in our Number 5 self tanner. For $15, you can buy a 6 oz bottle of True Blue Spa. This specific self tanner will achieve its maximum darkness in 4 hours. It’s affordable and does the trick! If you don’t want to go with a drug store brand but still want something not as expensive True Blue Spa is the right self tanner for you!
After you’ve chosen the self tanner of choice, always remember to exfoliate your skin before applying it and do not forget to wash your hands afterwards! You don’t want orange palms. Happy safe tanning collegiettes!